Tel Aviv, June 9: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday reaffirmed that Israel will continue military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning that any attack on Israeli territory would trigger a strong response, including strikes on Beirut.
In his first official remarks following the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, Katz said Israel would not tolerate attacks on its northern communities and would continue targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
“Dahiyeh in Beirut will be treated the same as the northern communities,” Katz said, referring to Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut. “Any attack on the northern communities will lead to an attack in Dahiyeh. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue to operate in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terror organisation.”
Katz also dismissed threats issued by Iran amid heightened regional tensions.“Israel categorically rejects Iran’s threats. Any Iranian attempt to link Lebanon and Iran and attack Israel will be met with great force, as happened yesterday,” he said.
The remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had suspended its attacks on Iran following a day of direct military exchanges between the two countries. While stopping short of formally acknowledging a ceasefire, Netanyahu indicated that hostilities had paused after Iran ceased its attacks on Israeli territory.
“At the moment, the fire has ceased because after we struck the terror regime in Tehran, it stopped attacking us. If the terror regime in Iran makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force,” Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Iran maintained that its recent military actions were carried out in support of Lebanon and in response to Israeli operations. According to Iranian state-linked media, Tehran’s armed forces described the strikes as a “painful response” to Israel’s actions and warned of more severe measures if Israeli military operations continued, particularly in southern Lebanon.
“Should the aggressions and hostile acts continue, including in southern Lebanon, far more severe and crushing measures than before will be forthcoming,” an Iranian military statement said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s commitment to both national defence and diplomatic engagement, stressing that military preparedness and negotiations remain complementary elements of the country’s strategy.
“Diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power; we have neither abandoned the field nor the negotiating table,” Pezeshkian wrote on social media platform X.
Amid efforts to de-escalate tensions, US President Donald Trump stated that both Israel and Iran appeared willing to pursue an immediate ceasefire following the recent exchange of attacks.
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate ceasefire. Final negotiations on peace are proceeding,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, while cautioning that “ignorance or stupidity” could still hinder a final agreement.
Trump added that the US blockade on Iran would remain in place until a comprehensive settlement is reached, expressing optimism that negotiations were progressing rapidly.
The latest developments signal a temporary pause in hostilities between Israel and Iran, although tensions remain high as Israel continues operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Tehran warns of renewed military action if Israeli strikes persist.